Ribbon-printing device.



1. T. QUIGLEY.

RIBBON PRINTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED IMI. 6. Isle.

Pa'tentedNov. 12, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I. T. QUIGLEY. RIBBON PRINTING DEVICE.

APPucATloN man MN. e. i916.

1 ,284,925 Patented Nov. 12, I9I8.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

by MM H/W? WTE@ STATES PATENT @FFTQE JOHN T. QUIGLEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO COSTMETER COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

RIBBON-PRINTING Dnvron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, i918.

Original application filed March 16, 1914, Serial No. 824,934. Bivided and this application filed January 6, 1916. Serial No. 70,575.

Tov all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN T. QUiGLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, (whose post-office address is 282 South street, Forest Hills, Massachusetts,) have invented an Improvement in Ribbon- Printing Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relatesto apparatus for printing and marking, and morev particularly to printing or marking an impression sheet fromv aninking ribbon or other inking vehicle.

This is a division of my prior, copending application Serial No. 824,934, filed March 16,1914..

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, While its scope will be moreparticularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.'

In the drawings:

Figure lfis a plan view showing printing appliances embodying one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan on a reduced scale of an inking ribbon with its annular holder;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view showing the ribbon feeding pawl in a' different position from that shownin Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation in partial sectionshowing the relation of the wiper to the paper and the ribbon;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the wiper;

F ig. 6 is a section in elevation on the line 6 6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a central, sectional elevation taken through the printing device showing the wiper and its slide in the initial position;

Fig. 8 is a similarlview showing the wiper and its slide'in the-final position after traversing' the paper;

Fig. 9 is aY crosssectional viewv showing the two4 paper tapes inrelation tothe ribbons, the'parts here as in Fig. 4v being shown of slightly; exaggerated thickness for the sakeof clearne'ss;

Fig.'V l0l is an end elevation showing the bracket carrying the ribbon feeding gear and ratchet;

Fig. ll is a front elevation showing a recording machine equipped with the printing devices heretofore referred to;

Fig. l2 is a plan view of the paper tape on which a record has been made by means ofthe described printing devices;

Fig. 13 shows in perspective a sheet metal tag with characters embossed in relief thereon and adapted to serve as a relief plate for the printing mechanism; and

Fig. 14 shows also in perspective a second plate also bearing characters in relief and adapted to serve as a seat for the sheet metal relief plate.v

Referring to the drawings, I have there shown my invention as embodied in and applied to a device for printing letters, figures or other characters upon an impression sheet.

The specific application of the invention is to a recording' machine of the type shownin my copending application Serial No. 7 99,988, filed November 8, 1913. where it is required to record certain identifying characters from time to time upon one or more constantly fed tapes for the purpose of measuring the time costs of different-operations performed. rThis embodiment, however, is submitted merely tov illustrate the principle of the invention which is applicable tov various kinds of printing or marking machines used for widely different purposes and employing impression sheets other than'in the form of paper tapes.

The devices for holding, positioning and feeding the paper tapes, the specific nature of which it will be understood from the above is not material to the present invention, may be briefly referred to as follows: The impression sheets, which are in the form of continuous paper tapes l and 2,-are supplied from rolls 3 and 4 mounted to turn upon the studs 5 and 6, respectively. The tape l passes from its roll 3 over the guide roller 7 to the slotted guide-bracket 8 t-hrough whichit'passes in superimposed relation to the tape 2 leading fromv its roll 4.` From the guide 8 they passinoperative relation to the printing devices, hereinafter more-fully described, and thence to a feeding drum or carrier 9 provided with circumferentially .arranged impaling pointsadaptedto impale and draw the tapes past thev printing devices as the drum is rotated.- The tapes are held pressed into close relation to the feeding drum by the segmental guard plate 10.

As the feeding drum 9 turns, the tapes 1 and vare stripped therefrom by the stripper 11 and thence pass to the bottom of the casing 12 in which the operative parts of the mechanism are contained. Any suitable means for moving the tape feed drum may be employed, but the same is herein typified by the clockwork mechanism 13 connected to turn the drum at a constant rate by means of the intermeshing driving gears 1li, 15 and.

-16 whereby a constant feed of the two tape sheets is secured.

Referring more particularly to the printing or marking of the tape, this is preferably accomplished by placing the tape or other record sheet together with an ink saturated fabric or other ink vehicle in close relation -to a printing plate or other equivalent member, causing a printing member to eXert thereagainst a relatively slight pressure over a relatively small area and then moving the printing member over successive portions of the printing surface. Such action may be obtained by causing a wiper or other pressor to wipe over successive portions of the paper face or by a pressure of a member striking the ribbon. such as the action of a type bar vof a typewriter.

The wiping pressure takes the ink out of the fabric and applies it cleanly to the paper. t does this irrespective of irregularities and imperfections in the printing characters since it appears to sink the ribbon and paper alire into characters having high or low relie In applying this system of printing to the described type of machine, the block 17 which overhangs the upright plate 18 constitutes a bed plate for the printing devices. At the bed plate the tapes 1 and 2 are caused to pass over and closely adjacent to inking vehicles 19 and 20, respectively. These may be in the form of continuous ribbons, but herein I have provided a novel form of inking vehicle in the form of an ink saturated fabric body 19 of disk form and secured at its edges between two annular pieces of sheet metal 21 and 22, the latter having their peripheries cut in the form of gear teeth E23 for a purpose to be described. rl`he fabric 19 may be of any suitable material, such as the material out of which typewriter ribbons are commonly made, and the annular strips 21 and 22 of sheet metal may be riveted or otherwise fastened together, clamping the edges of the disk shaped ribbon tightly between them. The bed plate 17 is horizontally slotted as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 so as to receive the inking ribbons in the relation shown. They are there positioned at one point by engagement between the gear teeth on their annular holders 21 andQQ with the. feed gear 24; at another point by contact with the guide roller 25 (Figs. 1 and 6) 4which latter is carried on the removable stud 9.6; and at a third point by the curved seat Z7 formed at the front end of the bed plate 17 (see Fig. 1). In this position the axis of the holder is at one side of the printing plate and the tapes 1 and 2.

In this position they are securely maintained and may be turned to bring successive portions of the inking fabric over the paper tape and printing devices by merely turning the feed gear Q4. The inking ribbons, however, may be removed at will by merely lifting the loosely held stud 26 and withdrawing the roller 25, this leaving both ribbon holders free to bc withdrawn from the slotted bed plate.

rlhe ribbon feeding gear 24e is fastened on an upright shaft 28, which latter also carries the ratchet member 29, the latter adapted to be engaged and turned step by step by the paw] 30 (Figs. 1 and 3). The pawl is in the form of a bent spring having a projecting shoulder 31 adapted to be struck by the slide 32 on which the pressor or wiper member is carried, so that for each movement of the latter the pawl imparts a feeding movement to the ratchet 29 and the gear 24 and turns the feeding ribbon through one step, as is represented in the two successive positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Herein the printing characters are presented by members which are removably inserted in the machine between the bed plate 17 and the lower inking member 20. These comprise a plate 35 (Fig. 14) bearing printing characters 36 in relief. This plate is of such shape that it fits an opening in the end of the bed plate 17 and can be slid into a seat provided therein. In this position the raised printing characters 36 are located be.- neath and adjacent the edges of the tapes 1 and 2, as represented in Figs. 7 and 8.

The top of the relief plate 35 is flat and shaped to receive a. second relief plate 37 -(Fig. 13); the latter formed of thin sheet metal and of lJ-shaped crossfsection having sides which fit over the sides of the plate 35. rlhisl permits the sheet metal plate to be inserted inthe machine upon the plate 35 as a seat and withdrawn from the machine either separately or with the said plate. The sheet metal plate 37 has printing characters 38 exposed vin relief thereon. These may be raised with but a very slight clearance, such, for example, as may be obtained by embossing a lthin piece of sheet metal, and a clear impression thereby obtained with the aid of the inking ribbon and the pressor member hereinafter referred to.

The two plates 37 and 35 together form a printing surface with the printing characters 38 and 36 in relief at substantially the same elevation and in such relation that they are impressed upon the tape in the manner indicated in Fig. 12. In the specific form of machine shown the members on the sheet metalplate or tag 37 are employed to identfv the Particular Operateaperfermed and are changed withea'ch operation bythe substitution of a different tag'. The characters on the. plate 35 are employed to identify the workman and may be changed as required by substituting a similar plate with different characters on its face. The particular pur- POS@ 0f the printing Characters, however', is not material to the present invention herein. To provide the traveling pressure when an impression is required from the lprinting characters upon the tape there is rovided a pressor in the form of a wiper lock 40 (Figs. 4 and 5) supported upon the slide 32. The latter is provided with perforated ears 41 adapted to slide Ion the horizontally arranged guide rods 42 iXedly positioned in the bed plate 17. The rear' ends ofthe rods Projecting through and, back. of the `bed plate are bent to provide anchor supports for the springs 43, which latter pass through openings in the rear of the bed plate 17 and have their forward ends secured to the slides so that they tend normally to retract the slide into the position shown in Fig. 1.

The wiper block has a slight up and down movement in the slide between limits which are determined by a transverse pin 44 engaging a notched portion 45 in the shank of the wiper block. To provide a downward yielding pressure on the wiper a coil spring 46 is carried within the upright barrelshaped handle 47 and presses downwardly on the shank of the wiper block so that the wiper is constantly pressed down toward the upper paper tape. The contacting edge of the wiper is preferably in the form of a rounded chisel point, as represented in Figs. 4 and 5, to give a narrow area of contact with the paper. In making the record the handle 47 is seized and the slide moved so as to sweep the wiper transversely the tape from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8 the wiper passing over and across the tapes in the manner which is shown in Fig. 4, where the thickness of the tapes and ribbons and the vertical movement of the wiper is somewhat exaggerated.

Both tapes are pressed -into close relation with the adjacent inking fabrics and the -printing characters by this transverse movement of the pressor over and across the same, although the upper tape only is in actual contact with the pressor. When the handle 47 is released, the slide returns to its initial position under the pull of the spring, giving the sheet a second wipe or impression.

With each transverse movement of the wiper a progressively traveling pressure is produced across the tapes and an impression of the printing characters is formed upon eachof the tapes, the pressure forcing the ink out of the ribbon and applying it cleanly to' the paper. The character of the impression is 'shown in Fig. 12, the same impression being made on both tapes.

With each movement of the pressing wiper" the pawl 30 is caused to move the ratchet 29 one' step and give the inking ribbon a slight lateral movement to bring a fresh portion of the inking ribbon under the wiper; 'This device provides a simple, cheap form of inkin'g vehicle which can be inexpensively constructed, easily placed in position or removed and, with the feeding mechanism shown, lasts a long time.

In `the described embodiment of my in-4 vention, there is also employed a device which herein performs both the function of holdingthe impression sheet against movement while the pressor is wiped across the same, and yalso of placing an additional mark upon the tape, herein in the form of a transverse line. This -device is herein shown in the form of a swinging arm 50 pivoted at 51 in a slot in the forward end of the bed plate block 17. This arm carries a wedge-shaped gripping and marking edge 52 extending across the upper tape l, but normally lifted therefrom by means of a lifting spring 53 secured to the block 17 but having a bending end underlying the arm 50. In its elevated position the tape is free to be fed without interference with the gripping and marking edge 52. When the slide 32, however, is wiped across the tape, a relatively stitl spring 54 in a transverse slot in the slide is caused to ride up from the position shown in Fig. 7 over the arm and press the same downwardly into gripping and marking engagement with the tape, as representedin Fig. 8. This not only grips the tape and presses both the tape and the ribbons into irm, unyielding relation to` the underlying relief plate so that no shifting of position can take place during the passage of the wiper, but it also leaves a transverse mark upon each tape, as represented in Fig. 12, which in the embodiment of the machine shown may be used as a datum or reference line. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the gripping edge 52 lies closely adjacent the path of the pressor so that it performs the further function of holding the tapes and the ribbons at and smooth against the wiping action of the pressor.

When the slide returns to its initial position, the gripping arm is released and lifts clear of the paper, permitting both the tapes and the ribbons to be fed.

While for purposes of illustration I have herein shown the invention as applied to the printing or marking of paper tape and in one particular kind of machine, it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the printing or marking of any-particular kind of an impression sheet or to machines for any particular purpose, but that widely different applications may be made of the invention and that the same may be embodied in a great variety of forms, and being in no wise limited to the specic construction herein shown.

Claims:l

l. In a ribbon printing mechanism, the- Copies of this patent may be obtained for and means engaging said gear teeth to turn the holder.

3. In a ribbon printing mechanism, the combination with printing devices, of an inking fabric, an annular holder therefor, and a guidingmember for positioning said holder in printing relation, said guide member being removable to permit the removal of said holder and inking fabric.

4:. In a ribbon printing mechanism, the combination vwith printing devices, of an inking vehicle comprising an ink-carrying fabric in disk form, and means for turning the same to bring successive portions thereof in printing relation.

5. In a ribbon printing mechanism, the combination with printing devices of an inking vehicle comprising an ink-carrying fabric, a fiat holder therefor, and means for turning said holder about an aXis at right angles to the plane of the fabric.

6. As a new article of manufacture, an inking vehicle for ribbon printing comprising an ink-carrying fabric and an annular holder having gear teeth cut in its edges whereby the holder may be turned.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN T. QUIGLEY.

Witnesses:

ROBERT H. KAMMLER, THoMAsB. BOOTH.

ve cents each, by addressing the fCommssioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

